Diagnosis of approximal caries: bite-wing radiology versus the Ultrasound Caries Detector. An in vitro study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to examine the validity, sensitivity, and specificity of bite-wing radiographs and a high-frequency sound wave device (the Ultrasound Caries Detector) used to detect caries on contacting approximal surfaces.

METHODS:

A total of 36 extracted premolars and molars were first visually examined for the presence of caries; then a probe was used. Twelve models were prepared, each containing 3 teeth with 2 approximal surfaces and 2 contacted surfaces (of adjacent teeth). Bite-wing radiographs were taken and evaluated for proximal caries lesions. A high-frequency sound wave (ultrasound) device called the Ultrasound Caries Detector was also used to detect caries. Examinations were repeated after 1 week. Teeth were then sectioned and viewed under a stereomicroscope at 20x magnification, with which the true interproximal caries diagnosis was validated. The receiver operating characteristic curves were computed to establish the accuracy of the observer data.

RESULTS:

The efficacy of the ultrasound diagnostic device for cavitated carious lesion detection was assessed by determining its specificity and sensitivity, 1.0 for each, in comparison with those of bite-wing radiography, 0.92 and 0.90, respectively (P <.001). The mean receiver operating characteristic value for the area under the curve was 0.934 with bite-wing radiography and 1 with the ultrasound diagnostic device.

CONCLUSIONS:

Under in vitro conditions, the ultrasound diagnostic device had a higher sensitivity and specificity, in terms of the detection of approximal carious lesions, than bite-wing radiographs.

• Authors: Shlomo Matalon, Osnat Feuerstein, Israel Kaffe
• Journal: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod) Vol. 95 Issue 5 Pg. 626-31 (May 2003) ISSN: 1079-2104 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12738956 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Area Under Curve
• Bicuspid (diagnostic imaging)
• Chi-Square Distribution
• Dental Caries (diagnostic imaging)
• Equipment Design
• Humans
• Molar (diagnostic imaging)
• Observer Variation
• Predictive Value of Tests
• ROC Curve
• Radiography, Bitewing (statistics & numerical data)
• Reproducibility of Results
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Ultrasonography (instrumentation, statistics & numerical data)